Canberra couple subject of ASIO raid

Sensitive government files allegedly were discovered in the home of a high-profile Chinese socialite and her Australian husband, a former high-ranking intelligence official, during ASIO raids in Canberra.

A Fairfax Media and Four Corners investigation reports the raid targeted Sheri Yan and former Australian diplomat Roger Uren, over allegations she was involved in operations for the Chinese Communist Party.

The raid in October 2015 came as Ms Yan was arrested by the FBI in New York for bribing a senior United Nations official for which she was jailed last year after pleading guilty to bribery charges.

Asked about the reports and whether China is threatening Australia's sovereignty Defence Minister Marise Payne said she doesn't believe there is a threat.

"But we are very conscious of the efforts of external actors around the world and we have seen other examples of this in recent times," she told ABC radio.